LaughFest attracted more than 53,000 people

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Gilda's LaughFest is celebrating success during its third annual comedy showcase in March of 2013.

Gilda's Club announced that more than 53,000 people attended LaughFest events. Those attendees came from 33 states and Canada.

LaughFest raised more than $285,000 for Gilda's Club, which provides cancer and grief support. Nearly $75,000 of that was specifically given for children's grief programs at Gilda's Club through a "High Five" texting donation program. Those texted donations were matched by the Wege Foundation, raising the total to $285,000.